7/20/12 – 1332 miles
It rained off and on during the night so I stayed bundled in my tent longer than usual this morning. The rain let up long enough to pack most everything without getting wet, but my tent was soaked and all I could do was stuff it in its sack and carry the extra water. Usually, when it stops raining and the sun comes out, I will throw the rainfly over a bush and let it dry. Unfortunately, the sun never came out and it turned into an all day rain.
After several days of scorching heat the temperature has dropped into the sixties, add to that constant rain and wind and we were cold as ice today. There were several shelters spaced close together this morning and I stopped at each one to get in out of the rain and make a hot drink. The trail soon became like a river and my shoes gave up the will to stay dry. And the slippery rocks cut down my speed to a crawl. I crossed one small stream and slipped on the muddy bank, pitched over, and ended up on my side in the water. I wasn’t hurt just muddy and wet.
At about 3:00 pm, I came to the High Point State Park visitor center and stepped inside to get out of the rain. The park employees really like thruhikers. They let us sit around by the heater and scatter our stuff all over the floor. They even gave each of us a soda. By the time we finally left the visitors center it was too late and we were too worn out to go very far.
We made it two more miles, only 11 for the day, to a place called High Point Shelter.
Does not sound like a fun day. I see why they named it High Point Shelter. After all the miles heading northeast, you now turn southeast for 18 miles along the New York border before turning north again. Maybe that’s not the reason for the name but looking at the map would have me looking for a shortcut! Then again, no one said the AT was the most direct route from point A to point B.
It sounds like what I call a “grinchy day”. But it sounds as though the State Park employees made up for it, even in your soggy, muddy condition. You have some small states to go through before you get to NH. I’m reading Bryson’s book again. Be thankful that Katz isn’t with you.
It’s 18 miles as the crow flies but it looks closer to 20 with all the bends and turns.